FORMER Flying Fijians winger Nemani Nadolo has officially started his new role as the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Development coach last week.
“It’s been good, started last week before the boys came in. It’s just been a privilege to be back in this environment. I know for a fact, obviously retiring and going out into the workforce and it makes you realise how good you can have it as a rugby player.
“So to be given the opportunity to come here and be the development coach, I’m super proud and I really am looking forward to this role because I feel that I could help the next generation come through and mentor them.
Nadolo mentioned it will take teamwork and sacrifice to develop future Drua and Flying Fijians players.
“It’s not only going to take a team effort, obviously myself, and we’ve got some good support placed up here as well that can hopefully create the next bunch of Drua and Flying Fijians,” Nadolo said.
His focus now during this pre-season is to get to know the players and help them understand what it takes to play at the professional level.
“It’s pre-season, it’s going to be a heavy block, so for me it’s just in the next seven weeks is getting to know my players, feel the guys are on training trials and feel the guys are, you know, they’re sort of in and around. So, for me it’s just trying to get to know the players, particularly my development players, and from now on in it’s just literally trying to mentor them on life what it takes to play at this level.
“It’s been a tough few days, so for me it’s just making sure that these guys understand that they are in a privileged position, that it does take a lot of hard work and, you know, if they can apply themselves in it, you’re going to see the rewards, both as a coach and also from the players’ perspective,” Nadolo added.
Nadolo also praised the progress of the Drua development program after four players were promoted to the 2026 season.
“It goes to show the development is working here, but for me it just means that, you know, that’s the goal, we want to graduate our development guys into the professional squad and get them to go and play for Fiji or Fiji Drua, and obviously first Fiji Drua.
“I’m telling my players, that’s what you can aspire to be if you put in the effort and put in the time.”
